Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3770, John Freas, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Freas, John
R. 3770
CONTENTS

Application, of John Fraz a Revolutionary Soldier, for a Pension, under Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of Pennsylvania } County of Columbia } s.c.t.
A.D 1844 On this sixth day of May personally appeared in the town of Berwick Columbia Co Before me George MacKone of the Judges of the several courts of Record of said County, John Fraz a resident of said County aged eighty two years; (said Applicant being unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity) who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th A.D. 1832.
The said John Fraz of Briar Creek township, County of Columbia and State of Pennsylvania, humbly states that he entered the service of the United States as a Militiaman of the State of New Jersey under the following named officers and served as herein stated - The Captain of the Company in which Applicant served was named Lawrence - the Lieutenant Berick Acker and the Sergeant Peter Wolf. On account of the great infirmity and failing memory of your Claimant, he is unable after the lapse of sixty four years to call to mind the names of any other officers. Your Applicant does not remember the day or the month when he entered the service, but he is certain that it was early in the Autumn of seventeen hundred and seventy nine shortly after corn-husking - At the time of entering the service he resided in Sussex County State of New Jersey, and went out as a substitute And this was applicants first engagement
in the service - The troops were soon moved

in the service - The troops among whom he was first enrolled marched some sixty or seventy miles from his place of residence to Elizabethtown where they lay, but were not engaged in any battle, or battles. Applicant entered the service of the United States a second time, by being draughted, but cannot state the time, or the names of the officers under whom he served. He knows that he marched with the troops under this engagement across the Blue Mountain to the North-western corner of the State of New-Jersey, and halted at Major Westbrook's house in the upper end of Minnisking township of the State aforesaid.
Said applicant was a third time called out by being draughted, on account of an alarm caused by the approach of the Indians. He marched under this third engagement, as under the second, towards the North western section of the State of New-Jersey across the Blue Mountains, but he was not engaged in any battle.
It is impossible for your claimant to state the period of his service. Certain he is that three several times he was enrolled in the service of the United States.
And from first to last, his service he thinks must be full a year, and perhaps more than a year -
Your claimant cannot name any regular officers, whom he knew during the several periods of his service. And he has given all the particulars at his command which would be useful in the investigation of his claim. He once had a written discharge given to him at Elizabethtown by Lieutenant Derick Suter; but after the lapse of sixty three years, he has no documentary evidence to produce in his favor, and he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service.
And He that said John F. was hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency

or annuity, except the present, and declared that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State -
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. JOHN FREAS
Geo Mack
We Charles Kalbfus a clergyman residing in Briarcreek township, County of Columbia and State of Pennsylvania And Jesse Bowman residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Freas, who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be eighty two years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Chas. Kalbfus
Sworn and subscribed
before me Geo Mack
Jesse Bowman
And I the said George Mack one of the Judges of the courts of Record of Columbia County and State of Pennsylvania after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, do hereby declare my opinion, that the above named Applicant,
John Freas, was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states - And I further certify that I know that Charles Kalbfus who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in Columbia Co. And that Jesse Bowman who has also signed the same is a resident in the neighbour- hood of John Freas, and is a credible person.
And that their statement is entitled to credit.

... who was signed the same is a resident in the neighbour- hood of John Freas, and is a credible person.
And that this statement is entitled to credi-
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this 6th day of May 1844
Geo Mark
State of Pennsylvania Columbia County
I Jacob Eyersly Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Columbia do hereby certify that George Mark Esquire before whom the foregoing proceedings were taken is an acting Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Danville the fourteenth day of May A.D. Eighteen hundred and forty four
Jacob Eyersly Protho
... William ...

Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department And the answers of John P. Freas, the within named applicant, thereto -
1 st Where and in what year were you born?
Ans. I was born on the first day of January 1762
2 nd Have you any Record of your age; and if so, where is it? -
Ans. I have no record of my age
3 rd Where were you living when called into Service Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War; And where do you live now?
Ans. - I lived in the state of New Jersey - Shortly after the war I moved into Northampton county - when I was under nine or ten years I then moved to Columbia county Penna. and have been living here since
4 th How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute; And if a substitute, for whom?
Ans. - I was hired as a substitute in my first engagement - I was next drafted - I was a substitute for William Dills

5 th State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops where you served; such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Ans - I do not know the name of any of the Regular officers. - The general circumstances are as they are stated within
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Ans - I did a discharge the first time I was in the service, but I have lost it

2 nd State the names of Persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
Ans - John Hoffman Wernmaderke Pearce Clegg M c Lean Sam l Millard Dr A. B. Wilson

3770 P. O.
John Amos Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized.
_____ Contract.

35688
John Freas
act June 7. 1832
Pennsylvania
See letter to Hon. B. A.
Bidlack H. R. June 6.
1844.
let to J. C. Rhody 14. Oct. 1844
" Hon B. A. Bidlack Oct 15. 44
" Same Dec 31. 1844

May 17 1844
Rev
Wm. of  Wm.
Con
132 7 June
J. L. Edwards
Pension Office.
War Department
Washington City
D. C.

Wm H Edwards
Sir
Please address L. B. Rhodes, or John Freas, Berwick Pa - Whatever the Commission of Pensions may make on this application, please let me know.
H. Rhodes signed for T. Freas

Receipts for Cash paid
years' interest on Notes given by the Commissioners of the several Counties for Militia Services.
No. of Voucher. No. of Certif. Date. SIGNED BY. PAYABLE TO. Amount. 1 y's int. Indent 765 May 4. 1784 Joseph Gaston John Frees L 0. 14. 2
STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
I, CHARLES G. MCCHESNEY, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true abstract from a Book, headed as above, as taken from, and compared with the original, now remaining in my office.—And I do further certify, that Joseph Gaston was, by an Act, passed by the Legislature of this State, December 20, 1783, entitled "An Act to procure an estimate of the sums due to the Militia and Troops who have been raised for the defence of the frontiers of the State, and to provide for the settlement of the same," appointed a Commissioner for the County of Sussex for the purpose of settling and adjusting the pay rolls of the Militia and Troops of this State, as aforesaid, and also for signing and delivering out to each and every person a note for the payment of what may be justly due.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, in said State, this twenty eighth day of June A. D. one thousand eight hundred and forty- four .
Charles G. McChesney Secretary of State.

July 22. 1841 N.Y.C.
W Roorbach John Innes
Hon. J. L. Howard Pension Office Washington City D. C.
1841

Berwick Pa July 9 th 1844.
Sir.
According to your direction I applied to the Secretary of the State of New Jersey for evidence to make good the claim of John Fries to a Pension. There can now be no doubt of his services - as to the time of his services and the length thereof, it is impossible to obtain any proof other than his own oath. Now before you He swears positively to one year though he is satisfied he served longer. Be pleased to let me know what disposal will now be made of the application -
I have the honour to be To Your W th Service Jos C. Rhodes
Hon. J. L. Edwards

183 4
Jos. C. Rhodes Esq.
Berwick
Pa.

Office of Secy of State Trenton June 18, 1844.
Sir
Your communication of the 11 th Inst t is before me the name of John Fneas, appears on the margins for the County of Sussex - partial balance of pay for a very small sum £ 8 0 14. 2, we have no Musterrolls of Service in Sussex County on file.
To ensure attention to future communication the Postage on all letters must be paid, this office is one of requisites and not receiving the Charges for Searches Seal & Certificate is from $1. - to $1.50. in the County of Sussex there is abundant evidence still to be obtained from living witnesses
Your Ob dt Servt Charles F. M c Chesney
J. C. B. Rhodes Esq r

Mr Raper
The Com - Pensions will please inform me whether anything can be done in this case.
Respectfully B. A. Bidwell
Dec 22/44

1888
Hon. B. A. Bidwell House of Representatives Washington City D. C.

Berwick Columbia Co Pa Dec 20 th 1869
Dear Sir -
At the urgent solicitation of John Freas a revolutionary soldier, and an applicant for a pension under the act of 1832. I write to you to make some representations of his claim which has been denied on the ground that the evidence of his service was insufficient to sustain his pretensions. There is no doubt that he is as richly entitled to a pension as any other private soldier living, and I think he has complied with all the requisitions prescribed by the War Department. He has served at least one year in the Militia of N. Jersey, and the circumstance of his residence in Pennsylvania now prevents his obtaining as satisfactory evidence to support his claim as he might do if nearer the scenes of his service. Mr. L. Edmonds requested him to apply to Secy of State of N. Jersey for further testimony. I did so and produced evidence which it appears that honorable Commissioner has not properly apprehended. The enclosed letter sent previously to the forwarding of the certificate now in the pension office shows that the $14.82 is only a balance of pay, and does not mean the entire pay for his whole service. The wants of the old man are so great, and his claim appears to be just that I am induced to make this further request of you, hoping that your effort will be successful.
Very Respectfully
J. L. Rhoads
Hon. B. A. Bidwell Washington
P.S. Will you be so kind as to send me a document occasionally - R -